An update on this months to dos, since we are so close to the end of the month and there are so many things to do! 

Plan day after brunch
Shop for gifts for wedding party
Research marriage license requirements
Book hotel room for wedding night
Get transportation for bridal party to wedding
Order shuttles for guests staying at hotel
Schedule beauty treatments
Meet with officiant to plan ceremony
See sample centerpiece from florist/have a meeting with florist to discuss everything
Buy wedding rings (halfway done)
Buy accessories for Abe
Find dress for rehearsal
Contact newspapers for guidelines about wedding announcements
Choose gifts for shower hostesses
Schedule food tasting for final menu (six to eight weeks pre wedding)
Day after brunch invitations
Decide on all special songs
Think about vows
Have final address list for invitations
Mail wedding invitations/rehearsal dinner invitations
Choose seating cards
Order table numbers
Break in wedding shoes
Plan welcome gifts
Finalize honeymoon
Draft schedule of events for wedding weekend
Draft a shot list for photographer
Choose ceremony readings
Update master guest list as RSVPs come in (working on)
Write thank yous (NEED TO DO THIS)
Meeting with all vendors for a two month till checkup:
-Planners
-Photographer
-DJ
-Florist
-Officiant
-Caterer
-Rentals
-Hair girls
-Ceremony musicians 

The sheer amount of things we need to get done in the coming days is a bit mind boggling and makes me feel like Ollie (DERP). But hey Y'all only 42 (actually 39, this was taken this past weekend) days until the BIG DAY!

     

A few weekends ago I had my first bridal shower! It was thrown by my wonderful Maid of Honor and she did an absolutely fabulous job. About a month before the shower she sent out invitations that she had handmade. Not only were they totally adorable, they also came in an envelope filled with confetti that fell out when you opened it (nothing is better than snail mail with confetti)!

Lindy had planned lots of surprises for me, from the photo booth to the cactus cupcakes, everything was PERFECT (she seriously needs to go in the party planning business).

This shower was for my close friends and a few of my Mom's sisters. We had a taco bar for dinner and plenty of margaritas and fuzzy worm shots to go around! After dinner we played a few really funny games and I got to take a swing at a piñata filled with ring pops and Fireball whiskey. After all the pre-planned activities, we danced the night away on the patio with glow sticks.

Hostess with the mostest

Some of my sweet bridesmaids who were able to make it! (Missed you Amanda and Megan)

Both Lindy and I don't particularly love being the center of attention so she didn't want me to sit down and open gifts in front of everyone (and feel uncomfortable). Instead I opened gifts at the very end of the night with the guests who remained. It turned out to be much more fun opening serving and bakeware and yelling "YAY, LOAF PAN" "OH MY GOSH, DISHES"!!

All in all this was such a fun and wonderful time with some of my best friends. I couldn't have asked for a better shower or a better MOH.

Well y'all, wedding planning is officially more stressful than it is fun. I have so many upcoming events and meeting and so many small things to decide on that it's driving me insane. On top of that stress, I'm having lots and lots of work stress.

As I'm becoming more stressed, I'm trying to remember that I only get to do this once and to enjoy every bit...even when I'm pulling my hair out. When I recognize that I'm stressed, I try to force myself to step away from planning (even browsing Pinterest). Going on walks and runs or picking up a book also seem to help with the stress management. Although it's sometimes very easy to be consumed with the constant to do list that comes with wedding planning, I'm trying not to get too overwhelmed (even thought I find this easier said than done).

I just need to take more deep breaths and remember that in the end what matters is that Abe and I are getting married and starting a new and exciting part of our lives...and if all else fails, I can always go get a margarita.

TWO MORE MONTHS (cue the panic and anxiety...yay)

I have no idea how time has passed this quickly, but here I sit typing a two month to the big day to-do list. It's so crazy. So much has been happening in our lives here in Kentucky and the busyness has led to additional stress as I try to fit in time for wedding planning (thank goodness for my sweet wedding planning duo).  We have been working on the farm when we have any extra time (weekends for my parents/Abe and random weekdays for me). Painting, landscaping, mulching....we've been doing it all. Luckily we had a meeting with our wedding planners a few nights ago and they helped us get organized and calm down a bit (If you don't have month of wedding planners, FIND THEM. They will legit save your sanity..especially if they are like mine and are willing to help more than just one month).

The house is finally coming together!! 

THIS MONTHS TO DOS:

Plan day after brunch*
Shop for gifts for wedding party*
Research marriage license requirements*
Book hotel room for wedding night*
Get transportation for bridal party to wedding*
Order shuttles for guests staying at hotel*
Schedule beauty treatments*
Meet with officiant to plan ceremony* (have a meeting scheduled) 
See sample centerpiece from florist/have a meeting with florist to discuss everything* (have a meeting scheduled) 
Buy wedding rings (halfway done)*
Buy accessories for Abe*
Find dress for rehearsal*
Contact newspapers for guidelines about wedding announcements*
Choose gifts for shower hostesses*
Schedule food tasting for final menu (six to eight weeks pre wedding)*
Day after brunch invitations*
Decide on all special songs*
Think about vows*
Meeting with all vendors for a two month till checkup
Have final address list for invitations
Mail wedding invitations/rehearsal dinner invitations
Choose seating cards
Order table numbers
Break in wedding shoes
Plan welcome gifts
Finalize honeymoon
Draft schedule of events for wedding weekend
Draft a shot list for photographer
Choose ceremony readings

(*these are from last month, oops)

At this point I'm so used to being behind on my never ending list that it hardly phases me! I know I need to sit down and get lots of minor things done, and I know I can do this easily if I just make the time to do it.

   

INVITATIONS SENT!

Tomorrow I have my first shower and I'm SOOOO excited! I'll be sure to update you all with pictures next week!